Akbar Ahmed

Supporters of Pakistani political party Pakistan Awami Tehreek hold signs to condemn the attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School in Peshawar during a rally in Lahore on December 21, 2014.

Pakistan’s patience with terrorism may finally have run out

Conflict

Attitudes towards terrorism in Pakistan can be complicated, but the attack on a Peshawar school on Monday may have tipped the balance against the Taliban and other militant groups. The brutal assault seems to have shifted the mood among Pakistani politicians, even those who usually take softer lines on terror.

Former Pakistani leader indicted for ‘Shakespearean’ murder of Bhutto

Leaked bin Laden report further strains relations between U.S. and Pakistan

Pakistan boosts national pride by breaking world records

Religion in the “Modern” world

Lifestyle & Belief

The Question of Divided Identity

As an American citizen, Boston bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnavez will be tried in a civilian court. But the Obama administration has made the decision to delay reading him his Miranda Rights, citing a public safety exemption to allow law enforcement officials to first ask him questions relating to any other terrorist or violent attack that […]

US, Afghanistan Reach Strategic Partnership Agreement

After months of on and off negotiations, the U.S. and Afghanistan have announced a strategic partnership agreement that ensures an American presence in Afghanistan until at least 2024. That’s a full decade after U.S. combat troops are scheduled to withdraw from the country in 2014. But the agreement, whose text was not released, does not […]

In Afghanistan, Rioting Over Koran-Burning Continues

In Afghanistan, there’s still no sign to the end of escalating violence over the destruction of copies of the Koran by American troops. Why is burning the Koran such a deeply offensive gesture to Muslims? American University Islamic Studies professor Akbar Ahmed joins The Takeaway, next.

Ramadan Rules: An Exception for Revolutions?

Last night, during the holy month of Ramadan, Libyan rebel forces  flooded into the capital of Tripoli, battling with Col. Moammar Gadhafi  loyalists and capturing two of Gadhafi’s sons. Civilians were celebrating in the streets over what may be the end of Gadhafi’s  42 years in power of Libya. Fighting during the holy month is considered particularly offensive. […]

The World

Ramadan continues, amid violence in Syria and Egypt

Lifestyle & Belief

Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, discusses the intersection of Ramadan and Middle East politics. Babak Dehbhanpisheh, Beirut bureau chief for The Daily Beast/Newsweek, reports from Lebanon.